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This two week short course is designed to satisfy the demand for engineers, pilots and flight test support personnel who require practical experience in aircraft performance, stability and control, handling qualities, flight test instrumentation data handling, as well as a working knowledge of FAA and military specifications pertaining to piloted aircraft.
Classroom academics are tailored to prepare the students for practical in-flight tests. Seven flights are performed in a medium weight transport aircraft. These aircraft have been instrumented to serve as in-flight laboratories. On each of the sorties the students participate as flight test engineers, gathering data for post-flight analysis. Two additional sorties are flown in light aircraft to allow the students to get practical hands-on experience in performing the various flight test techniques as a pilot. At the conclusion of the course, students present their findings and recommendations on both mission suitability and regulatory compliance in an oral report to the staff.
Subjects Covered
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Introduction
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Aircraft
Control Systems
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Jet Cruise
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Dimensional Analysis
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Longitudinal Static Stability
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Takeoff and Landing
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Subsonic Aerodynamics
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Maneuvering Stability
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Closed Loop Handling Qualities
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Standard Atmosphere
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Longitudinal Non-Linearities
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Transonic Aerodynamics
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Pitot-Statics
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Lateral-Directional Static Stability
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Mach Effects on S&C
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Drag Polar
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Equations of Motion & Dynamics
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Energy Management
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Propeller Cruise
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Stalls
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Aeroelasticity
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Climb Performance
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Engine-Out Asymmetrics
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Sample Schedule
View Scedule
Flying Summary
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Flight
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Aircraft
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Mission
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1
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Merlin
III/D.H.
Dove
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Pitot Static
Calibration, Trailing Bomb or Cone
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2
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Merlin
III/D.H.
Dove
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Cruise
Performance CL-CD, SAR etc.
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3
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Merlin
III/D.H.
Dove
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Excess
Power, Climbs and Level Accelerations
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4
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Merlin
III/D.H.
Dove
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Longitudinal Static Stability
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5
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Merlin
III/D.H.
Dove
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Maneuvering Stability
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6
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Merlin
III/D.H.
Dove
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Lat-Dir Static Stability
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7
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Merlin
III/D.H.
Dove
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Dynamics & Stalls
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8
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C-172
/ SR-22 / PA-24
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Performance FTT's
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9
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C-172
/ SR-22 / PA-24
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Flying Qualities FTT's
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Flights 1 -
7 Instrumented Flying Classroom
Flights 8 - 9 Student "Hands
On" Flights
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Prerequisites
The two-week Introduction to Flight Testing Course has no formal prerequisites. Students have attended the course with every thing from a doctorate in aerospace engineering to high school graduates only. The course can be tailored somewhat to the individuals attending, but familiarity with calculus is a plus.
This course is offered in Mojave, CA five times per year. Classes are limited to eighteen students per class.
Please send inquiries to:
Director
of Admissions
Back to Course Descriptions
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